On this episode, Jennifer takes a little detour to talk to the folks that couldn’t care less about making goals and changing the world – not because they’re lazy or selfish, but because they are in a place of darkness, struggling with something that keeps them from wanting to get out of bed. She’s always wanted this to be a place where people are real, so she’s going first on the topic.
Thoughts you may be fighting:
1. You are not good enough.
God used a bunch of messed up cracked pots throughout history. Whether you believe Jesus was a great teacher, a prophet, or the Son of God, it’s widely accepted that he did a lot of good. His lineage includes a murderer, prostitute, and a whole bunch of other jacked up stuff that makes our families look normal. And good still came from it. David, who made a lot of mistakes most of us wouldn’t dare, was called a “man after God’s own heart”.
[spp-tweet ” David, who made mistakes most of us wouldn’t dare, was called a “man after God’s heart”.”]
2. You are unqualified.
“Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world – and the despised things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.” (1 Corinthians 1:26-29)
These are words that Paul said to members of the early church. Again, no matter what you believe about the Bible, historically there was a group of people who were changing communities left and right, growing rapidly and making the world take pause and take note. And most of them were nobody special, by the world’s standards.
3. You are broken.
*sigh* This is the place Jennifer knows well, and the people whom her heart yearns to encourage today. There is so much conversation around broken stuff in the Bible. Mary’s alabaster jar didn’t serve it’s purpose until it was broken. Jesus says he was broken for us.
Outside of the Bible (though still Biblical), “clay pots” (literally “earthenware”) were ordinary, plain vessels designed with a purpose – but they were not beautiful or especially unique. Those that were imperfect still served their purpose. Some, however, went beyond imperfect to broken – and it seemed they were useless.
It was those vessels, however, that had perhaps the most unique purpose and were often sought out. When light was placed in one of these broken, cracked pots, it was able to shine through, beyond the clay pot, and be dispersed throughout the room.
Sometimes, we need to be in this broken, ugly place for a time. We are reminded to be humble and/or to show others that it is in our weakness that God’s power is made clear.
As much as this place may hurt, please don’t believe the lies that you are too bad, too unqualified, or too broken to serve a purpose. Your story matters.
[spp-tweet “Please don’t believe the lie that you are too broken to serve a purpose. Your story matters.“]
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